Andalusia Private Tour

Land at Malaga airport. According to the flight arrival there may be time to explore the small historic center of Malaga to the ruins of the Roman Theater and the arab fortress Alcazaba. 

We are driving through the mountains heading to  Ronda. The medieval village hanged over the canyon has astounding views of the valley and the river Tajo. Follow the trace of 700 years of Islamic presence walking through its charming streets. Churros with a cup of hot chocolate will make the evening just perfect. 

Today we are heading to the capital of the Andalusia region Seville. The islamic imprint of ancient Isbilya is not large, as the city was taken by christian king Fernando III en 1248. However, Seville well worth a visit. The beauty of its palaces, parks and its river Wadi al-Kabir (Guadalquivir). In times of Al-Andalus, an important fluvial port. After the America Discovery in 1492 it became the main commercial hub.  Discover the islamic heritage of this city. Today belltower of Seville’s cathedral, la Giralda was once the  minaret of the old Masjid of muslim Isbiliya. The Golden Tower is another landmark of the city. We will continue exploring the historic district and Santa Cruz quarter, and we will walk along the river boulevard to the beautiful Plaza de España.

Free time add-ons: Enjoy a bike ride in the riverside to reach the archeological site of “Italica” the first roman city founded in the Iberian Peninsula. The mosaics of the houses are amazing. 

In the morning we continue our trip to Cordoba. Established capital of al-Andalus by the first Umayyad emir, Abd al-Rahman I in the early 8th-century in an important city long ago inhabited at the shore of the Guadalquivir river. During the muslim period, Cordoba became a center of knowledge with countless libraries, schools and universities. It was the world’s most populated city, but suffered a sharp decrease in population during the Renaissance. Enjoy the walk through the narrow streets of the old district and its whitewashed houses, courtyards and flowers. Can’t miss in all bucket list a visit to the old masjid, the great Old Mosque of Cordoba. Built by the first Omeya emir Abd al-Rahman I  in late 8 th-century over the ruins of roman and visigoth temples, building material were reused, giving the new mosque an unique originality. Over 200 years the mosque was enlarged and more beautifully decorated. Famous for its red and white arches and its mihrab the site is a World Heritage protected by the Unesco. Nowadays, it is the cathedral of Cordoba.

Afterwards, visit Madinat al-Zahra  was a city built by caliph Abd al-Rahman III to show the world the splendor of its kingdom during the middle of the 10th-century. Located 5 km away from Cordoba became the royal residence and new center of power. The ruins are listed as World Heritage by Unesco because its a great example of the sophisticated urban planification in al-Andalus. Continue the journey to Granada for overnight.

Granada this hilltop city -surrounded by mountains and irrigated by two rivers- was the last fort of al-Andalus, falling in the year 1492.  Walking through the historic center, you will discover the trace of 800 years of Islamic presence in the many old building,local gastronomy and culture -for example, the famous spanish guitar may be an evolution of an instrument brought from Damasco by Ziryab an influencer in the court of Abd al-Rahman III-.

Al-Andalus archeological sites you will visit:

We will visit:

• • The Alhambra complex including the Alcazaba, the palaces of the Nasrid royal family: Palace of Comares, Palace of the Lions and Generalife.
  •  The Albayzin quarter. Explore the mysterious maze of alleyways of the old muslim quarter.  Enjoy the astounding views over Alhambra and Sierra Nevada mountains from the Masjid gardens in San Nicolas square. Visit the palace Dar al-Horra in the oldest part of Albayzin, the official residence of Aixa mother of the last emir of Granada Boabdil.
  • The Hammam al-Yawza “El Bañuelo”. Best preserved public Arab baths in the Iberian Peninsula.
  • Houses of the Andalusian aristocracy.
  • Lookouts and house-caves of the Sacromonte quarter.

Time to say goodbye! We will drive back to Malaga for airport drop off at least 2h before the flight departure.